By Don Schatz

Create in Me

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“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling with us.”

John 1:14. New International Version

John’s Gospel begins with creation words: “In the Beginning, was the Word [Logos], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made” (John 1:1-3. New International Version).  In Genesis 1, we hear the truth of John’s words as God speaks (Word/Logos) creation into being.

There is a marvelous symmetry to Holy Scripture.

At Christmas, we celebrate the Incarnation of the Word of God, second person of the Trinity.  “The Word became flesh.”  The eternal Word took upon himself flesh, our flesh.  In this mystery there is present the most wonderful Biblical symmetry of all.  God’s Love.  God’s Love for us.  The Scriptures witness throughout to the love of God for humankind and what he would do to restore that love to our hearts and souls.  To our daily experience of life.  Yes, and even our death.  Christ, bearing our humanity, would die.  And he defeated death, taking Life back and restoring the hope of eternal life to humankind.  “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling with us.”

Faith receives the Gospel’s truthful witness, and we are not just reborn, we are a new creation (John 1:12-13; II Corinthians 5:17).  Praise God for his wondrous ways.  Praise God for his glorious love.  Praise God for the mystery of the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Praise God for our creation, into the world in the first place and into his heart through faith.

Today, God speaks his Word into our lives again.  He reminds us of who we are in and through the Incarnate Christ.  The Word speaks of Incarnation, and we revel in our new birth.

“Create in me a clean heart O God; grant that I might share Jesus, Word of God, wondrous love, with others.  Amen.”

Copyright, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado